Richard Hughes believes Ivawood can set himself up for a sparkling 2015 by gaining a first Group One victory in the vision.ae Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
The champion jockey has ridden Richard Hannon's colt in each of his three unbeaten starts, kicking off when a well-backed proposition for his debut in a Sandown maiden during June.
They quickly graduated to Pattern company, sweeping clear in the July Stakes at Newmarket before cementing their partnership when winning the Richmond at Glorious Goodwood by four and a half lengths.
Hughes has no concerns about the ground on the Rowley Mile, and said: "He's won on soft already at the July meeting so that's not a worry.
"I find now that after riding him work the other morning that a mile next year is not going to be a problem.
"He's a horse with a huge stride and it kills two-year-olds off probably in the middle section of a race.
"You never feel they are going fast enough for him which is a very good sign for any horse."
Hannon is similarly bullish about Ivawood's chances.
"This has been Ivawood's main aim since he won at Goodwood, and everything has gone smoothly since," the trainer told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
"He is a bull of a horse and very reminiscent of Toronado, and we hope his strength will enable him to go through the ground.
"It was soft enough when he won the July Stakes at Newmarket, so we are going back up there with optimism.
"He's a horse with a huge stride and it kills two-year-olds off probably in the middle section of a race" - Jockey Richard Hughes on Ivawood
Hannon also saddles Kool Kompany, a dual Group Two winner in the Prix Robert Papin and the Railway Stakes at the Curragh.
Now under new ownership, he must turn around an ordinary sixth as favourite for a valuable sales race at York.
"He has been a star this season and ran well from a bad draw in the big sales race at Doncaster last time, having earlier being beaten only half a length by Dick Whittington in the Phoenix Stakes in Ireland," said Hannon.
"It was soft ground there, so, hopefully, he'll cope with the conditions, but we are just glad that Neil Werrett, who bought him privately at Doncaster, has left him with us. He's a real sprinter."
Muhaarar was third to Ivawood in the July Stakes but became a Group Two winner in the Gimcrack at York.
Jockey Paul Hanagan has been thrilled with the colt's progress.
He told At The Races: "He's come on with every run and showed a really good attitude at York to win the Gimcrack. He really put his head down for me that day.
"If it comes up soft it wouldn't be the end of the world. He won his maiden on very soft ground at Doncaster. He's just a very straightforward horse that tries."
Muhaarar's trainer Charlie Hills is looking for a bold show from the Sheikh Hamdan-owned colt.
"I'm really pleased with Muhaarar. He's been improving all year and his recent work has been very good," said the Lambourn handler.
"I think we all have to respect Ivawood, but our horse is in really good form and is proven on the track and the ground.
"He won in heavy ground first time out at Doncaster and I'm expecting him to run a big race."
Charlie Appleby has every faith in Charming Thought, who is taking a leap in grade after winning average events at Leicester and Lingfield on his last two starts.
"Charming Thought is in great nick. We appreciate that he is running in a Group One and respect the opposition but I am confident that he is ready to take a step up in class," the trainer told www.godolphin.com.
"It's a bit of a fact-finding mission in terms of whether he will cope with the rise in class and the softer ground but I couldn't be happier with him.
"He looks to have strengthened up a bit since his win at Leicester and we will dip our toe into a race like this to see where we are with him."
Cappella Sansevero has had a tremendous juvenile campaign, winning four of his seven starts and placed at Group One and Group Two level.
Successful in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on his latest outing, trainer Ger Lyons reports the Qatar Racing-owned colt to be in fine shape for his season finale.
"I would rather Ivawood went somewhere else, but he's in good order," said Lyons.
"If he's as well as I think he is and runs as well as I hope he will, he'll be there or thereabouts.
"His form is rock-solid, so fingers crossed he can have a good end to the season."
